ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2345-2862
Current Organisation
Murdoch University
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-12-2019
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.15109
Abstract: To explore the challenge of engaging multidisciplinary staff in standardising aseptic technique (AT) in an emergency department (ED) in an Australian tertiary hospital, and to better understand the enablers and barriers to implementing practice change within this setting. Healthcare-associated infections are the most common complication for patients in acute care. A clinical practice framework developed in the United Kingdom (UK) standardised AT practice to reduce potential infection risk. One Australian tertiary hospital drew upon this framework to similarly improve clinical practice. It was understood that standardising practice would require some practitioners only to revisit and demonstrate AT principles already embedded in their practice, while others would be challenged to adopt a new approach. Qualitative, descriptive research design. Data were collected through focus groups held before and after implementation of the AT programme. Data were analysed using the framework method. The (COREQ) checklist was followed. Four emergent themes described the influence of motivation on in iduals' beliefs and attitudes towards practice change, relationships within the ED context, delivery of education and management directives. Implementing practice change is more than just providing technical knowledge and includes changing in iduals' beliefs and attitudes. An understanding of adaptive challenge can assist in implementing practice change that involves the multidisciplinary team. Results provide evidence as to how the adaptive challenge framework could be a suitable approach to manage potential enablers and barriers to implementing change within a multidisciplinary team in an acute hospital.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-2022
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S384202
Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 10-04-2018
DOI: 10.1111/HSC.12575
Abstract: This feasibility study aimed to identify and address the support needs of family carers (FCs) of people living with dementia and to assess whether the use of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) intervention in home-based care was acceptable and relevant to FCs. The CSNAT intervention comprised two FC support needs assessment visits, 7 weeks apart, plus associated actions addressing prioritised needs by the Client Care Advisors of a community care service in Western Australia in 2015. Telephone interviews were conducted with FCs on their experience using the CSNAT at the end of the intervention. Twenty-one FCs were involved in the intervention and 15 of them completed the feedback interviews. Care recipients had moderate to severe dementia. The top five support needs reported by FCs were: having time to yourself in the day knowing what to expect in the future practical help in the home looking after your own health and dealing with your feelings and worries. Three themes summarised their experience: a straightforward structured approach awareness, acknowledgement and acceptance of their situation and provision of support. FCs appreciated the opportunity to be heard and acknowledged, to have their practical and psychosocial support needs facilitated, to identify what is important to them and to receive a response in a timely manner. The CSNAT approach offered a structured carer-led, person-centred, supportive intervention that facilitated discussion between the family carer and the service provider about support needs and strategies to address them.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.IJNURSTU.2014.06.010
Abstract: Hospital patients experience significant pain, which can delay healing and increase the risk of developing chronic pain. Nurses are affected by patients' ongoing pain and may cope with consequent anxiety and helplessness by distancing themselves from such patients. Understanding nurses' responses to patients in severe pain will inform strategies to support their coping, their patients and, ultimately, their retention in the nursing workforce. The aim of the study was to develop a substantive theory explaining the hospital nurse's perspective of caring for patients in severe pain. The study used grounded theory method. Data were collected on four acute care wards in a 610 bed Australian hospital. The s le included 33 nurse participants and 11 patient participants. Selection criteria for nurse participants were those who worked in the four study wards, cared for patients who experienced severe pain, and consented to be included. Selection criteria for patient participants were those who self-reported pain at intensity of seven or more on a scale of 0-10, were aged 18 years or older, could speak and read English, and consented to be included. Theoretical s ling directed the collection of data using semi-structured interviews with nurses and participant observation, including structured observations of nurses who cared for patients in pain. Data were analysed using constant comparison method. Nurse participants encountered a basic psychosocial problem of feelings of disempowerment when their patients experienced persisting severe pain. In response, they used a basic psychosocial process of seeking empowerment to provide comfort in order to resolve distress and exhaustion associated with disempowerment. This coping process comprised three stages: building connections finding alternative ways to comfort and quelling emotional turmoil. The substantive theory proposed a link between the stress of nurses' disempowerment and a coping response that provides direction to support nurses' practice. Strategies indicated include enhanced communication protocols, access to advanced practice nurses, use of nonpharmacological comfort measures, utilization of ward-based pain resource nurses, and unit-specific pain management education. Further research to verify and extend the substantive theory to other settings and nursing populations is warranted.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-11-2020
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1836044
Abstract: High health literacy (HL) is important to optimise health outcomes, particularly for older people (who are substantial consumers of health services) and their adult caregivers. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate measurement properties of HL instruments tested with these population groups. Six databases (MEDLINE (OVID) CINAHL EMBASE (OVID) PsycInfo Scopus Cochrane Library) were searched for studies evaluating eight measurement properties of HL tools administered to older people or their caregivers. Only studies evaluating multi-domain self-report HL tools were included in analyses, using the COSMIN methodology. From 4261 unique papers located, 11 met inclusion criteria six reported measurement properties of three HL self-report tools administered to older people (HLQ, eHEALS, and HeLMS) so are reported in this review, none involved caregiver s les. The HLQ and HeLMS were rated "moderate," and eHEALS "low" for tool development. The HLQ, examined in four included studies, had the highest ratings and quality of evidence across the three measurement properties investigated in included papers. The HLQ was the most highly rated self-report HL tool of just three tested with older people. Further studies evaluating measurement properties of self-report HL tools used with older people and/or their caregivers are needed.Implications for rehabilitationHealth literacy is important to optimise health outcomes of interventions for older people and their adult caregivers.Few studies have evaluated measurement properties of self-report / multi-domain health literacy tools for this population.The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) had the highest ratings and quality of evidence across the three measurement properties investigated in included studies, and is recommended for use in rehabilitation settings.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 14-05-2016
DOI: 10.1111/JONM.12309
Abstract: This review aimed to synthesise literature describing the development and/or implementation and/or evaluation of a professional practice model to determine the key model components. A professional practice model depicts nursing values and defines the structures and processes that support nurses to control their own practice and to deliver quality care. A review of English language papers published up to August 2014 identified 51 articles that described 38 professional practice models. Articles were subjected to qualitative analysis to identify the concepts common to all professional practice models. Key elements of professional practice models were theoretical foundation and six common components: leadership nurses' independent and collaborative practice environment nurse development and reward research/innovation and patient outcomes. A professional practice model provides the foundations for quality nursing practice. This review is an important resource for nurse leaders who seek to advance their organisation in a journey for excellence through the implementation of a professional practice model. This summary of published professional practice models provides a guide for nurse leaders who seek to develop a professional practice model. The essential elements of a professional practice model theoretical foundation and six common components, are clearly described. These elements can provide the starting point for nurse leaders' discussions with staff to shape a professional practice model that is meaningful to direct care nurses.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEDT.2016.03.026
Abstract: Nursing education appropriate to the learning needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students is essential to prepare them for registration as nurses. Despite incentives to encourage the recruitment and retention of such students, a disproportionate number commence but do not finish their nursing studies. To describe the barriers and enablers to the retention of Aboriginal students in a Diploma of Nursing course (Enrolled/Division 2) in Western Australia. An exploratory descriptive design was used. One metropolitan educational facility catering for Aboriginal people offering an 18-month course in a block release format. A convenience s le of 16 students aged 18+years. Newly enrolled students (n=10) participated in an investigator-developed survey to explore their motivation for entering the course. Nine of these students and a further seven students who were nearing the end of their course participated in focus groups to explore their experiences of nursing education. Survey respondents had a mean age of 32.7years most were female, had nominated family as influential in the decision to enroll, and commenced with a friend. Regarding recruitment and retention, the qualitative data highlighted the importance of students': perceptions of the training organisation, characteristics, experiences of nursing education, and sources of support. Strategies that develop in idual's resilience and engage supportive networks can assist Aboriginal students to negotiate tertiary nursing study. Academic skills assessments supplemented with tailored educational support at entry can resource students to navigate increasingly complex course content. Flexibility throughout the course enables students to negotiate study in a context of ongoing family and financial obligations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-046600
Abstract: There are personal and societal benefits from caregiving however, caregiving can jeopardise caregivers’ health. The Further Enabling Care at Home (FECH+) programme provides structured nurse support, through telephone outreach, to informal caregivers of older adults following discharge from acute hospital care to home. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of the FECH+ programme on caregivers’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after care recipients’ hospital discharge. A multisite, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial with blinded baseline and outcome assessment and intention-to-treat analysis, adhering to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines will be conducted. Participants (N=925 dyads) comprising informal home caregiver (18 years or older) and care recipient (70 years or older) will be recruited when the care recipient is discharged from hospital. Caregivers of patients discharged from wards in three hospitals in Australia (one in Western Australia and two in Queensland) are eligible for inclusion. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The intervention group receive the FECH+ programme, which provides structured support and problem-solving for the caregiver after the care recipient’s discharge, in addition to usual care. The control group receives usual care. The programme is delivered by a registered nurse and comprises six 30–45 min telephone support sessions over 6 months. The primary outcome is caregivers’ HRQOL measured using the Assessment of Quality of Life—eight dimensions. Secondary outcomes include caregiver preparedness, strain and distress and use of healthcare services. Changes in HRQOL between groups will be compared using a mixed regression model that accounts for the correlation between repeated measurements. Participants will provide written informed consent. Ethics approvals have been obtained from Sir Charles Gairdner and Osborne Park Health Care Group, Curtin University, Griffith University, Gold Coast Health Service and government health data linkage services. Findings will be disseminated through presentations, peer-reviewed journals and conferences. ACTRN12620000060943.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-04-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-01-2020
DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12570
Abstract: Rural doctors are difficult to recruit and retain. Burnout and stress in the medical workforce fluctuates according to location. Overall, doctors have an elevated risk of depression and suicide compared to the general population and other professionals. Higher levels of occupational stress also effect patient care, levels of work satisfaction and relationships with others. This study evaluated the effectiveness, acceptability, feasibility and sustainability of the Mindful Self-Care and Resiliency Program. This was a sequential mixed-method study involving the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The study was conducted in Emerald, Queensland. Thirteen doctors took part in the program with seven providing pre and post survey responses. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured telephone interviews with an additional four rural doctors. Intervention The Mindful Self-Care and Resiliency program consisted of a 4-hour face-to-face session and three 1-hour video-conference follow up sessions. Main outcome measures Burnout, negative affect, well-being and psychological strain were assessed using self-report measures before and after taking part in the program. Results The majority (six out of seven) of the doctors showed reductions in burnout, psychological strain and negative affect following participation in the program. The qualitative data indicated that all doctors gained new skills: self-awareness, reflection and self-care. They also reported improved interaction with colleagues and patients, to whom they passed on their new learning. Conclusion This preliminary investigation of the effectiveness and feasibility of Mindful Self-Care and Resiliency for rural doctors indicates that the program has promise in improving the emotional well-being of this occupational group. Although this study captured approximately one-third of the Emerald workforce, further research with a larger s le is required to confirm these findings.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-09-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2015
DOI: 10.1016/J.APNR.2015.02.008
Abstract: This study explored the perspective of experienced intensive care nurses regarding maintenance of their emotional wellbeing. Caring for critically ill patients has been identified as stressful. The demand for critical care nurses continues to grow in a climate of an ongoing nursing shortage and an aging workforce. This study sought to understand what environmental elements optimized the maintenance of emotional wellbeing. Grounded theory. Fifteen experienced intensive care unit registered nurses from a metropolitan hospital in Western Australia, were interviewed. Five categories were identified: 'achieving best care', 'caring for the patient's family', 'autonomy within the ICU environment', 'teamwork', and 'previous nursing and life experience'. The findings from this study increase our understanding of the environmental elements that can optimize the emotional wellbeing of intensive care nurses. These findings will assist in the development of strategies to retain nurses in the ICU area.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-01-2019
DOI: 10.1111/OPN.12219
Abstract: We aimed to implement a systematic nurse-caregiver conversation, examining fidelity, dose and reach of implementation how implementation strategies worked and feasibility and mechanisms of the practice change. Appropriate hospital care for people living with dementia may draw upon: information from the patient and family caregiver about the patient's perspective, preferences and usual support needs nursing expertise and opportunities the nurse has to share information with the care team. Within this context, planned nurse-caregiver communication merits further investigation. In Phase I, we established the ward staff's knowledge of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, prepared seven nurse change leaders, finalised the planned practice change and developed implementation plans. In Phase II, we prepared the ward staff during education sessions and leaders supported implementation. In Phase III, evaluations were informed by interviews with change leaders, follow-up measures of staff knowledge and a nurse focus group. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. Statistical analyses compared nurses' knowledge over time. Planned practice change included nurses providing information packs to caregivers, then engaging in, and documenting, a systematic conversation. From 32 caregivers, 15 received information packs, five conversations were initiated, and one was completed. Knowledge of dementia and Alzheimer's disease improved significantly in change leaders (n = 7) and other nurses (n = 17). Three change leaders were interviewed, and six other nurses contributed focus group data. These leaders reported feeling motivated and suitably prepared. Both nurses and leaders recognised potential benefits from the planned conversation but viewed it as too time-consuming to be feasible. The communication initiative and implementation strategies require further tailoring to the clinical setting. A caregiver communication tool may be a helpful adjunct to the conversation. Implementation may be enhanced by more robust stakeholder engagement, change leader inclusion in the reference group and an overarching supportive framework within which change leaders can operate more effectively. Nurse-caregiver communication in this context requires inititatives tailored to the clinical setting with input from all stakeholders.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-01-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AJAG.12897
Abstract: To determine the re‐test reliability of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) with carers of older adults discharged from hospital or attending the outpatient clinic. Carers completed the HLQ twice by telephone and rated the acceptability of completing the tool. Tool completion time was recorded. Correlations were calculated between the test occasions using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and 95% confidence intervals. Fifty‐one carers of older patients participated. The HLQ showed good reliability (ICC = 0.75‐0.90) for seven of the nine scales and moderate reliability (0.50‐0.74) for the other two scales. Median completion time was 16.5 minutes (range 9‐50), and acceptability was rated as 9.5/10. The HLQ is a reliable tool for use with carers of older adults attending hospital. However, the length of time for completion of the HLQ may limit its feasibility for use by hospital staff and carers, given the high stress and time pressures of acute care.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S211424
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 04-05-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-05-2015
DOI: 10.1111/JOCN.12845
Abstract: To explore the experiences and perceptions of hospital staff caring for dying patients in a dedicated patient/family room (named Lotus Room). Dying in hospital is a common outcome for people across the world. However, noise and activity in acute environments present barriers to quality end-of-life care. This is of concern because care provided to dying patients has been shown to affect both the patients and the bereaved families. A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 multidisciplinary staff and seven families provided information through an investigator-developed instrument. Qualitative data analysis generated three categories describing: Dying in an hospital The Lotus Room and the Outcomes for patients and families. The Lotus Room was seen as a large, private and, ultimately, safe space for patients and families within the public hospital environment. Family feedback supported staff perspectives that the Lotus Room facilitated family presence and communication. The privacy afforded by the Lotus Room within this acute hospital provided benefits for the dying patients and grieving families. Improved outcomes included a peaceful death for patients, which may have assisted the family with their bereavement. This study provides evidence of how the physical environment can address well-established barriers to quality end-of-life care in acute hospitals.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-08-2017
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-08-2018
DOI: 10.1111/WVN.12318
Abstract: Effective pain management is unlikely to occur without consistent and timely assessments. To improve assessment and management of pain, ward-based pain resource nurses were introduced in 2007 to facilitate hospital-wide evidence-based practice changes using three key targets. One-year post implementation of this quality improvement project, promising results were revealed. The purpose of this study, 8 years post implementation, was to (a) evaluate sustained practice improvements in pain assessment and management, (b) assess current pain resource nurse knowledge and attitudes to pain, (c) explore characteristics of the pain resource nurse role, as well as (d) any perceived contextual changes regarding study findings. A mixed-methods approach was used to address study aims. Quantitative data were collected from documentation audits and a "Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain." Qualitative interviews explored the characteristics of the pain resource nurse role, and a focus group discussion explored the context of change. Significant improvements were observed for the documentation of pain scores on admission and for each nursing shift. Survey results highlighted potential knowledge deficits in key practice areas, even though interview findings suggested that pain resource nurses provided a resource for peers, raised awareness of best practice, and imparted knowledge to other ward staff. An important facilitator for the pain resource nurse role was the ongoing collaboration and support from specific pain teams, and barriers to engage in the role were competing workload priorities, and limited awareness among other ward staff. Implementing and sustaining evidence-based practice change in clinical practice is challenging. Ongoing evaluation is necessary for identifying the long-term implications of practice improvement interventions and issues that influence the adoption of evidence-based practice. Strategies to address barriers, and to increase awareness and engagement of the pain resource nurse role with wider collaboration require further investigation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-09-2023
DOI: 10.1111/HEX.13863
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-03-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.PMN.2022.03.003
Abstract: An understanding of nurse characteristics that influence pain management, which are potentially amenable to change, can help to refine and improve nurse education and practice, resulting in better patient outcomes. The purpose of this review was to identify nurse characteristics that influence their assessment of and intention to treat postoperative pain. Integrative literature review. A systematic search of electronic databases (CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO, Medline, and Embase), using these constructs "pain assessment", "pain management", "postoperative pain", "nurses", "cultural beliefs" and "nurses' perceptions" was conducted for the period 2000 to October 2020. Following a systematic screening process, the included articles were analyzed and synthesized to identify themes and subthemes. A total of 40 articles were included with three main themes identified: nurse knowledge nurse sociocultural factors, personal beliefs and attitudes, and other characteristics and believing or doubting the patient. There was evidence that targeted education interventions can improve nurse knowledge and nurses' clinical practice in relation to pain management. What was less clear was which nurse attitudes and biases influenced their pain management practice or how these could be changed. More studies are needed to investigate the influence of cultural characteristics on pain assessment and management. There is a need for further quantitative studies that explore the relationship between nurse characteristics and their pain management practice. Intervention studies using innovative educational approaches that change attitudes and biases, and improve practice are needed.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 06-11-2017
Abstract: When people with dementia are hospitalised, their capacity to communicate with the staff may be limited, compounding risks of distress and other adverse outcomes. Opportunities for carers to share relevant information to inform appropriate person-centred care are also limited. This four-phase mixed methods study aimed to develop an evidence-based family carer–staff communication form, the Focus on the Person form, to address this concern. In Phase I, a literature review plus consultation with clinicians and carers informed form development. In Phase II, the professionally formatted form was piloted by 31 family carers, who were then interviewed about their experiences. These data, combined with data from 30 hospital staff members who participated in Phase III focus groups, led to final, Phase IV, refinements of the form. The form now provides an opportunity for families to inform the person-centred care of people with dementia in hospital, potentially improving outcomes for this vulnerable group.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.NEDT.2017.11.021
Abstract: Culturally appropriate health care delivery is essential to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples. There is a shortage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nurses partly due to disproportionately high non-completion rates among tertiary sector students. The College Persistence Questionnaire V3 (Short Form) provides scales for gauging major predictors of retention. To adapt an instrument for measuring intention to persist among Aboriginal Diploma of Nursing students. Instrument adaptation and pretesting. A convenience s le of Aboriginal Diploma of Nursing students (N=21) at a registered training organisation in Australia. The instrument was mapped against the domain of interest and modified. Ten experts reviewed its content validity its reading ease and educational grade reading level were assessed. The expert panel endorsed in idual items as valid (item-level Content Validity Index 0.90-1.00) and scale-level validation was acceptable (average scale-level Content Validity Index=0.98). The minimally-adapted instrument was 'fairly easy' to read and suitable for general adult audiences (Flesch Reading Ease score 71.3) and was below the United States 8th grade reading level (Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 6.7). Students took <30min to complete the questionnaire. All understood its purpose, found instructions clear, and questions easy to answer. Most rated its length 'Just right'. The College Persistence Questionnaire - Registered Training Organisation Version appears suitable for assessing factors influencing retention/attrition among Aboriginal Diploma of Nursing students. Piloting and psychometric evaluation is recommended.
No related grants have been discovered for Susan Slatyer.